Local semi-retired grazier Neville Kurtz is finally putting all those long hours sitting in the gallery at council meetings to good use, and is ready to become even more involved in the local community.

Mr Kurtz has lived in the Oberon area for almost 50 years, and has raised his family while running his property “Arundel Park” for many decades.

It was semi-retiring from farming that convinced Mr Kurtz to nominate for council.

It was something he had been thinking about for the past six years but he didn't feel he had enough time to dedicate to the job.

“I now have the time to put more into it. I can contribute more to the community and get more involved and give something back to community groups,” he said.

Mr Kurtz has been interested in the local area and the way local council works for some time, which could be one reason for sitting through most of the monthly council meetings for the past six years.

He said he is happy to see that Oberon Council is without political influence, so it gets a better result due to the fact that councillors are independent.

“It means people can talk to any one of the councillors and get their ideas across,” he said.

Mr Kurtz said he feels quite happy about the prospect of being the only new councillor in the group, and feels he can work well with the existing councillors.

Mr Kurtz’s nomination for Oberon Council reflects his long-term community involvement. He was involved in Rotary for 16 years, including serving as president for two years, and has held the office of captain in the Rural Fire Service. He still serves as deputy captain.

Mr Kurtz is passionate about being able to represent the concerns of farmers, but said that he is also very concerned about issues in the town itself.

“I am interested in what is happening in the town,” he said.

Mr Kurtz said he is focused on working towards better roads, management of weeds, securing water and, most of all, is passionate about Oberon remaining a friendly local community while still progressing and attracting tourists.

He said he would like the seat in council that was previously filled by the late Bob Hooper, but said that he knows he could never fill Bob’s shoes.

Candidates for the election can nominate until noon on the 22nd of September.